Raising a Girlfriend Starting from a Dream Game - Chapter 23 - Yang Linlin Dies
Ling Xiao was sharp.
He immediately stood up, pulling Yang Linlin under the table.
Only when the surroundings began shaking did the slower-to-react Yang Linlin realize what was happening.
It was an earthquake!
She was terrified.
Quickly, she hugged Ling Xiao beside her, closed her eyes, and didn’t dare speak.
Ling Xiao also held Yang Linlin tightly, not daring to let go for even a moment.
He could feel the intensity of the earthquake.
The violent tremors made him worry that they might die in the house today.
It doesn’t matter if I die, but let Linlin survive.
This was Ling Xiao’s innermost thought.
Fortunately, the earthquake didn’t last long.
After just two minutes, everything began to calm down.
Ling Xiao opened his eyes and immediately asked the girl in his arms, “Linlin, are you okay?”
Only then did Yang Linlin dare to open her eyes.
She burst into tears: “Ling Xiao, was that an earthquake just now?”
Ling Xiao comforted her: “Yes, it was an earthquake.”
“Wah… it was so scary.”
For someone who had never experienced an earthquake before, the tremors from earlier were enough to leave a lifelong impression.
So Ling Xiao did his best to comfort Yang Linlin.
He also knew that aftershocks could occur in a short time, so he had to take Yang Linlin to an open area outside.
Thus, Ling Xiao took Yang Linlin on his motorcycle and headed toward the vegetable field.
They arrived at the vegetable field.
Yang Linlin got off the motorcycle, and as she looked at the freshly sprouted vegetable seedlings on the ground, her frightened expression gradually softened.
“Brother, can you take a photo of me with these vegetable seedlings?” Yang Linlin turned and asked.
“Okay.”
Ling Xiao took out his phone.
The phone couldn’t connect to the internet or make calls anymore.
It only had basic functions like taking photos.
He aimed the camera at Yang Linlin.
She made a classic “V” sign with her fingers, smiling from the heart.
Beside her were the vibrant green vegetable seedlings.
Behind her was the clear blue sky.
It seemed like the most beautiful moment they’d had in days.
After taking the photo, the two sat on the slope, leaning their heads against each other, gazing at the distant scenery.
“Were you scared during the earthquake just now?” Ling Xiao asked.
Yang Linlin shook her head, giggling secretly: “Actually, I was a little scared, but then I remembered you were beside me and that you’d protect me.”
Hearing this, Ling Xiao smiled and ruffled her hair, explaining: “Actually, there’s no need to be afraid. Next time there’s an earthquake, just hide under the table.”
“No.”
Yang Linlin refused outright: “I want to hide in…”
As she spoke, she snuggled into Ling Xiao’s embrace: “…your arms, hehe~”
Ling Xiao immediately held her and promised: “Alright, alright, hide in my arms. I’ll be your table.”
Seeing Ling Xiao’s somewhat heavy expression, Yang Linlin asked worriedly: “Are you still worried about the earthquake?”
Ling Xiao shook his head and shrugged: “No, I was just thinking—what if one of us leaves before the other someday? What would the other do?”
Yang Linlin listened and immediately said: “I once read a saying.”
“Actually, for loved ones, leaving first is the easier path, because the one left behind will grieve and worry, so…”
She joked with a smile: “When we’re old, Ling Xiao, don’t worry about me. Even if you’re gone, I’ll take good care of myself! Don’t worry.”
Ling Xiao looked at her loving smile.
He knew.
Yang Linlin simply didn’t want him to be left alone grieving in this world.
“Alright, but you must promise me that even if I’m gone, you’ll take good care of yourself, okay?”
“Okay, brother, I promise you!”
They stayed until evening before reluctantly returning home.
Back home, Ling Xiao decided to prepare a candlelit dinner for Yang Linlin.
Seeing him bustling about, Yang Linlin wanted to help in the kitchen.
But Ling Xiao wouldn’t allow it.
He insisted she sit comfortably in her chair.
Yang Linlin was delighted when Ling Xiao brought out steak, fried rice, and noodles: “Wow, it feels like a candlelit dinner now.”
“Only with this does it truly resemble one.”
At that moment, Ling Xiao took a candle from the cupboard.
Then he brought out a bottle of red wine.
He poured a small half-glass for Yang Linlin and cautioned: “Drink slowly now.”
“Don’t worry, just a little red wine won’t make me drunk~”
Yang Linlin said confidently.
After everything was ready, Ling Xiao sat down.
He raised his glass, looking at Yang Linlin as he said: “Here’s to our first candlelit dinner.”
“Okay~”
Yang Linlin happily raised her glass.
After clinking glasses, she took a small sip.
“Eeeek~~”
She stuck out her tongue, shivering as she said: “It’s a bit sour~”
“Here, have a piece of steak~”
“Okay, brother, you have some too, try this.”
Throughout the evening, the two fed each other bite by bite, creating a very romantic atmosphere.
Finally, Ling Xiao stood up and extended his hand: “Might I have the honor of inviting this beautiful lady for a dance?”
Hearing this, Yang Linlin nodded.
They danced slowly to the music.
Though neither had any formal musical training.
That didn’t matter.
What they were dancing wasn’t steps, but affection.
Late at night, Ling Xiao watched Yang Linlin sleeping beside him.
His heart was filled with reluctance.
He already sensed that after tonight, he would have to leave this Dream Simulation.
He didn’t know how Yang Linlin would face everything when that happened.
Though he had only been in this Dream world for 100 days, he had already developed dependence and a sense of belonging to this environment and to Yang Linlin.
Ling Xiao didn’t dare to sleep.
He was afraid that when morning came, Yang Linlin would no longer be by his side.
But exhaustion continued to torment him.
Eventually, Ling Xiao gently kissed Yang Linlin’s forehead.
Then he closed his eyes.
As if by some predestined arrangement.
The moment Ling Xiao stopped breathing, Yang Linlin woke up.
She turned to look at Ling Xiao lying beside her and tentatively called out: “Brother?”
Then she placed her hand over his heart.
Soon after, tears began streaming down Yang Linlin’s face.
“Wuu wuuu”
“Brother, you lied.”
“You clearly said you’d go first when we were old, so why…”
“I lied to you, I can’t take care of myself. How can I take care of myself without you here?”
“I’ve always known that my cooking is actually terrible, but you never complained.”
“Wake up, if you keep this up, I won’t be nice to you anymore.”
“Brother, wake up, please wake up, let’s play games together, okay?” After crying for an hour, Yang Linlin looked at Ling Xiao’s face and said affectionately: ‘It’s okay, brother, I’m coming to be with you.’””
Having said this, she kissed Ling Xiao’s lips.Ten seconds later, half of the sleeping pills in the cabinet were gone.